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Fist - 'Turn The Hell On'

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Fist - Turn The Hell On

Fist - Turn The Hell On

Metal Mind Productions

The Bottom Line

Reissue of a classic, cult New Wave Of British Heavy Metal album.

Pros

  • Minor classic of the genre.
  • Solid songwriting which combines bluesy swagger and classy melody.
  • Aggression is counterbalanced perfectly.

Cons

  • Doesn't quite compete with bigger albums of the day.

Description

  • Released November 9, 2010 on Metal Mind Records.
  • This was Fist’s 1980 debut.
  • Featured future Hellbastard drummer Martin Harrison.

Guide Review - Fist - 'Turn The Hell On'

Fist was one of those lesser known NWOBHM bands whose reputation and influence never really pushed much beyond cult obsession.  

The band’s Turn the Hell On debut still sounds great some thirty years later, particularly with this well-packaged Metal Mind reissue. Standing somewhere between Motorhead, Maiden and Mercyful Fate sonically, the Fist quartet possessed more songwriting chops than most, while also elevating these tracks with a heaping dose of energy and innocent, fire-driven aggression.

As a result, Turn the Hell On is an up-and-down joyride of vintage metal composition, taking great care in making sure each melodic element—whether vocal or string—is counterbalanced by an equal feeling of devil-may-care swagger.

The band took two years to release the Back With a Vengeance follow-up, and was relatively silent until 2005’s Storm reunion LP. Although it remains to be seen whether or not Fist can make good on their once-promising career, one thing’s for sure: Turn the Hell On is a rockin, bluesey NWOBHM effort which kicks just as much ass in 2010 as it did in 1980. Believe it.  

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